DERIVATIONAL AND INFLECTIONAL

DERIVATIONAL AND INFLECTIONAL

1. Derivational morphemes:
derive a new word by changing meaning or lexical category
a. option + al = optional,
b. un + happy = unhappy

2. Inflectional morphemes:
function morphemes which serve a purely grammatical function
a. cup + s = cups,
b. small + est = smallest

Affixes:
– attach to free morphemes or to other affixes
– usually add extra information to meaning of the word
– three types: prefixes, suffixes, infixes
– attach to specific lexical categories


Affix Function
-s 3rd = pers. Sing. Pres.
-ed = past tense
-ing = progressive aspect
-en, -ed = past participle
-s = plural (nouns)
-’s = possessive
-er = comparative
-est = superlative



Attaches to: Example
verbs = He talks.
verbs = He talked.
verbs = He is talking.
verbs = He had talked.
nouns = The cats are sleeping.
nouns = The cat’s food is ready.
adj., adv. = Joe is older than Sue.
adj., adv. = John is the oldest son.